366 Mr. E. L. Layard on Soiith- African Ornithology. 



C. gracilirostris must, I conceive, sink into a synonym of C 

 babacula (Vieill.), and C. rufescens (Keyserl. & Bias.) into a syno- 

 nym of C.haticula (Vieill.) ; Le Vaillant^s figures are badly drawn, 

 but I feel sure they are intended for these species. 



184. Bradypterus layardi. This rare species has again 

 rewarded Mr. Atmore's vigilant eye and ready hand. Early in 

 this year he shot one near Forest Hall, Plettenberg Bay, the 

 residence of Mr. Newdigate. He writes: — " I was looking for 

 a survey station, when she flew out of some dense scrub, and I 

 dropped her. In the scrub was a cupped nest shaped like 

 that of No. 172 [Drymceca africand], not quite finished. I 

 hunted in vain for the male, and never passed the spot without 

 a search, as well as looking into every similar place; but this 

 was all I saw. Its habits are exactly like those of No. 172, but 

 it is even more difficult to raise from its cover ; its flight is only 

 a feeble flutter.^' Mr. Atmore procured the type specimen on 

 which Dr. Hartlaub founded his species and the genus {Phlexis) 

 which he has formed upon it. I shall bave much pleasure in 

 forwarding this second specimen to my learned friend, and Mr. 

 Atmore has promised to keep a sharp look out for more. 



187. Bradvpterus SYLVATicus, Victorin. I believe this to 

 be identical with No. 186, B. platyurus. I have procured a 

 few of the former from some extensive beds of reeds on the 

 Cape Flats, near Wynberg. Its habits accord with Le Vaillant*s 

 description, as far as I saw. 



193. Saxicola bifasciata. Mrs. Barber has sent the nest 

 and eggs of this handsome Chat. The former was taken from a 

 hole in a kraal-wall, and is a loose untidy structure of fine root- 

 lets and hair. The latter are pale and creamy-white, rather 

 profusely speckled, especially at the extreme obtuse end, with 

 small elongated reddish-brown specks; axis 11'", diam. 8'". 



195. Saxicola monticola. Mr. Ortlepp, from Colesberg, 

 and Mr. Jackson, from Nels Poort, both send eggs of this Chat. 

 They are light bluish-green, rather closely specked with red- 

 brown, chiefly at the obtuse end; axis 12'", diam. 8'". Mr. 

 Jackson writes : — "Among the eggs I now send you, are fourteen 



